Friday, May 23, 2014

SASOD to host 5th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on Sunday

Georgetown
- The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) will be hosting
its 5th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on Sunday, May 25, 2014, from
5:00 to 6:30 pm on the steps of the St. George’s Cathedral on North Road.

The
event is much more than just a memorial, as it serves as a community
mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV. The Candlelight
Memorial brings together affected communities, policy makers, health
professionals, religious leaders and members of the public to show solidarity
and support for persons infected and affected by HIV; to encourage people to
continue to act together, and to call on the public to end stigma and
discrimination against people living with HIV, and key affected populations.
Individuals are invited to show their support through dance, song and/or
poetry.

Ms.
Desiree Edghill, Vice-Chair of Guyana’s Country Coordinating Mechanism of the
Global Fund to fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Executive Director of
Artistes in Direct Support, will deliver the feature address at this year’s
Candlelight Memorial under the theme “Let’s Keep the Light on HIV.”

This
year’s theme aims to be positive and forward-looking, whilst also recognizing
that this remains a memorial event for many. In addition, with the post-2015
development agenda looming, and the imminent replenishment of the Global Fund,
the theme speaks to the urgent need to ensure that HIV remains a priority for
international policy makers and development agencies worldwide.

The
International Candlelight Memorial is committed to ending HIV by raising
awareness and advocating for the advancement of effective policies at all levels.
Much has been done to improve and advance the HIV response in Guyana, however
much more still needed. SASOD is calling for equal access to treatment,
prevention and care services for all Guyanese regardless of sexual orientation
and gender identity. Stigma and discrimination - especially homophobia and
transphobia – are barriers to accessing services for the communities we serve.
There is an urgent need to end stigma, discrimination and human rights
violations, affecting people living with HIV and key populations such as men
who have sex with men, people who use drugs, sex workers and young people.

Coordinated
by the Global Network of People living with HIV, the International AIDS
Candlelight Memorial, which is in its 31st year, is one of the world’s oldest
and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness every year.

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About SASOD

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) is a human rights organisation and movement dedicated to achieving equality and justice for all Guyanese, especially those suffering discrimination based on their sexuality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. We support similar work in Latin America and the Caribbean, Americas, Commonwealth, Global South and worldwide.